The Feel-Good Family Edition

Have you ever stood in front of a shelf full of guidebooks wondering which one to buy? While the options can seem overwhelming, there are smart ways to narrow the search. Rule out the obvious mismatches right away by figuring out who the book's target audience is. That way, you'll know if the book is right for you. If you're unsure of a brand's slant, scan the guide to your hometown and note what kind of restaurants, hotels, and activities receive glowing reviews. When choosing between a guidebook that covers an entire country and a book devoted to a smaller area, always pick the more specific one. So, if you're only going to Florence, pick a guide focused solely on that city, rather than one that covers all of Italy. Read the author bio closely. Publishers want readers to have confidence in their writers, and the bio section will point out the author's qualifications and special interests. As you read, think about what's not in the bio. If it's all fluff--or worse, nonexistent--that's not a good sign. Browse the index for a sense of how thorough the book is. Look specifically to make sure topics that are important to you are listed. To get an idea of how sensibly a guidebook is arranged, try a little role playing. Locate a museum or beach you know you want to see. Then, pretend you're hungry and want to find a nearby restaurant. If the search takes more than a few minutes, you probably want to find a guide that's easier to use.

Just in time for the busy holiday travel season, plastic bag companies are teaming up with airports to give travelers the clear bags they need to carry liquids and gels through airport security. Hefty (HeftyOneZipTravel.com) has announced it's giving away more than a million one-quart bags at airports across the U.S., including Chicago, Los Angeles, New York, and Washington, D.C. Glad Products (glad.com) is also offering thousands of free bags in airports such as Dallas/Fort Worth and San Francisco. These bags meet the TSA's "3-1-1" carry-on guidelines (tsa.gov): three ounces or smaller containers of liquids or gels inside a one quart-size, clear plastic zip-top bag; only one plastic bag allowed per traveler. Click here to download a handy PDF wallet card with the 3-1-1 requirements. Since many passengers may not understand these new restrictions, we think free bags are a smart way to keep travelers moving through airport security lines. Related Stories: Slide Show: Five Ways to Use a Ziploc Bag American Airlines Gives Out "Comfort Kits" New American and British Carry-On Rules Extra Mile Award Winners

Had to check your toothpaste or hand lotion? Starting this Tuesday, American Airlines will hand out 1.2 million free in-flight 'Comfort Kits' to AA passengers traveling during the holiday season--just to get in the spirit of things. American Airlines has teamed up with MasterCard to provide the clear plastic 'Comfort Kits' containing toothpaste, a toothbrush, hand-lotion and lip balm. Attendants will pass out the goods after take-off on domestic flights longer than three hours until supplies run out. Sure, the kits are for a limited time only and they aren't Bliss-brand products like on JetBlue's overnight flights, but who are we to complain? After all, it's the thought that counts.